Apparatus for compaction, transportation and discharge of bulk material



April 12, J. L. BRO N APPARATUS FOR COMPACTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISCHARGE OF BULK MATERIAL Filed Feb. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR: JOSEPH L.BROWN ATTORNEY Aprll 12, 1960 J. L. BROWN 2,932,415

APPARATUS FOR COMPACTION, TRANSPORTATION AND DISCHARGE 0F BULK MATERIAL Filed Feb. 25. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 G I-O 5- 3. i I -.& I I I I A u II I I- F g i l I i Ll. k i u m I 7- l 3 I I Q v I J o I F i g 2 a i i o F- l s e U l w m v-- 1 I INVENTOR JOSEPH L. BROWN J 3 BY.

ATTORNEY SWITCH IGNITI may be applied by the loading attendant. is then conveyed, usually over a substantially long route,

res atent T Ofifi ce APPARATUS FOR COMPACTION, TRANSPORTA- TION AND DISCHARGE OF BULK MATERIAL This invention relates to the loading, compacting, transportation and discharge of bulk material, and is particularly concerned with the vehicular means such as trucks or trailers adapted for the loading or unloading of compressible bulk material such as used in refuse disposal.

While trucks, trailers and like vehicles are commonly used for the collection and discharge of refuse Which is compressible, the most common expedient is to load such material in open bodied'vehicles with the compression limited merely to the Weight of successive increments of the material loaded and/or such physical compacting as Such material to the dump or other ultimate destination. Since the time of transportationfrequently consumes a larger portion of the cycleof operation, empty truck on the collection route to ultimate discharge at the dump, it will be obvious that the maximum load is an important factor in the efficiency of operation of the vehicle. Without reference to the unhygienic aspects of open truck or trailer the pick-up area tothe discharge point.

While the compaction of materials of this nature has been suggested heretofore, and while equipment has been designed for the reception and compaction of such material, such equipment has required the control by the operator of each step in the compaction operation, and such compaction has been without automatic limits of motion, and without the utilization of the compacting element as the discharge means. Hence, with such prior equipment, the operator was required to vigilantly exercise control over the compaction operation, both as to duration, length of stroke and frequency of cycle. Furthermore, the exercise of judgment as to the amount of compaction was left to the operator, who in the absence of skill and experience in such matters, could readily overrun the practical limits of the cycle phases, thus subjecting the mechanism to undesirable strain and misuse, resulting in failure and irreparable damage to such equipment. Such prior art equipment was also complicated, cumbersome and expensive and thus not suitably designed to meet the demands of economic manufacture and/ or operation.

It is therefore among the primary objects of the present invention to provide a truck operation and control mechanism of simple, eflicient and effective design for the successive compaction of load increments and for the ultimate power discharge of the total load.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character set forth, particularly designed for the reception, compaction, transportation and delivery of refuse material, and one automatically operable without required training, experience or skill on the part of the loading attendant or operator.

A further and more specific object of the invention is to provide control-means by which a compacting element Patented Apr. 12, 1960 may be arranged for automatically performing predetermined cycles of compacting operations without necessitating manual control to determine the extent of the compacting motion. 7

It is also an object of the invention to provide op erating and control mechanism of the character set forth by which the compacting mechanism may be operated for an extended motion by which the entire compacted load may be expelled from the vehicle.

My invention further includes among its various objectives that of providing automatic electric control mech anisms, jointly controlled by the attendant and by relative motion of its components, so that automatic compacting operation may be instituted by the attendant and whereby such attendant may cause an overriding of the compacting motion control to provide a load expelling operation by the compacting mechanism.

The invention also provides various improved features of construction and mode of operation whereby simplicity of design, economy of manufacture, ease of operation and safety against abuse is incorporated.

With these and other objects, features and advantages V of the present invention, reference may be had to the following specification taken in conjunction with the ac companying drawings in which like figures of reference designate corresponding elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing details of the clutch assembly of that form of the invention shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, disclosing in detail one end of the drive mechanism of that embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a topplan view of a detail showing the worm gear and motivating pulley and cable arrangement.

Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating an electric circuit for the control of a mechanical structure such as presented in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive.

In general terms, the present embodiment of the inventive concept may be defined as comprising a receptacle body including therein compressionmeans operable to successively compact increments of material deposited in the body, and further operable by an extension of the compressing motion to eject the compressed material from the body. In equally generic terms, the control mechanism includes manually operable control means for the instigation of the compression operation and limit switches operable to reverse the compressing motion at the end of predetermined travel of the compression member to return such member in readiness for the subsequent compression of a successive increment. In the circuit for such control there is further included manually operable means to bypass the aforementioned limit switch permitting an extended travel of the compression member so as to eject the total compressed material. To facilitate the electrical type of control means, electric clutches are arranged under switch control of the circuit for reversely applying motivation for the compressing member, such clutch will also under the control of a limit switch automatically return the compressing member at the termination of the ejecting motion thereof.

More specifically the present embodiment of the invention includes a substantially closed refuse receptacle which may be mounted on a motor vehicle and powered from the driving motor thereof, or which may constitute the body of a trailer in which case an independent power source mounted on the trailer may be employed for motivation of the compressing member. An open orclosure controlled entry aperture is provided in such receptacle adjacent oneend thereof, while a closure is mounted at the other end to be opened when the compressed material is to be ejected therefrom. Within the receptacle there is mounted a reciprocable compression member with suitable drive connection for periodic compression motions to the extent of a fraction of the total length of the receptacle, the compressing member is normally stationed beyond the loading aperture and to be moved th'ereacross in the direction of the exit doorway for such fraction of travel thus to clear the loading port to permit loading of a subsequent increment of the compressed refuse material and to therewith compress such material in the rearward portion of the receptacle adjacent the discharge opening. A limit switch is located at the selected terminus of such compacting motion and circuit arrangement ,issuch that as the compressing element engages such limit switch'an electromagnetic clutch will operate to reverse the motion of the compressing member, returning it to its position beyond the loading aperture. The circuit, however, further includes manually operable means to negative the function of the above mentioned limit switch thus permitting a travel of the compressing member substantially the full .lengthof the receptacle to thus eject the compressed material from the discharge doorway. A second limit switch is located adjacent such doorway and is operable by engagement with the compressing member to similarly energize the reverse electromagnetic clutch to return the compression member beyond the receiving aperture.

In considering the construction, operation and control presented by way of illustration in the present drawings and specification, it will be understood that while the preferred embodiment is exemplified by a motor truck or trailer, the invention is not limited to such vehicle, and the inventive concept may with equal appropriateness be applied to railway cars, ships or other transportation means. Furthermore, while'the functions of the control system may be appropriately carried out by the use of electrical means as indicated by the circuit arrangement of .Fig. 4, the invention is not necessarily so limited. The circuit presented is schematically depicted to illustrate one operable electrical means for controlling the functions of the apparatus.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l of the drawings, the invention is disclosed as mounted on the body of a conventional motor truck, the forward end of the chassis of which is provided with the conventional cab 11, hood 12 which encloses the conventionalpower plant, not shown, but which includes the usual carburetor 13 and its throttle control rod 14, hereinafter to be discussed in relation to the control system. At 15 there is indicated an ignition switch preferably interrelated with the electrical control system as will hereinafter become apparent. From the transmission 16 of the power plant of the vehicle, there is provided a power take-01f 17 which may be any one of numerous structural arrangements well known to those skilled in the art, and from which there extends rearwardly a drive shaft 18 leading to a double electromagnetic clutch assembly supported by depending plates 19 from the chassis 10 and coupled by universal joint 20 with the drive shaft 18.

The receptacle constituting the vehicle body is generally indicated by the numeral 30, and is preferably an elongate rectangular closed chamber with a side loading aperture 31, closed during interims between loading operations by a side door 32 mounted upon rollers 33. While the side loading aperture 31 and door 32 are here shown as at one or both sides of the body as may be convenient for the smaller units embodying the invention, it will .be obvious that a top opening may be provided in combination with or to the exclusion of the side apertures. Such top opening may be more appropriate with a larger unit, as a trailer for detachable connection with traction means. Such top opening may or may not include closure members equivalent to the rial through such aperture.

doors 32, and if desired the doors may be omitted, particularly where a smaller loading aperture is provided, or where some other form of material receiving means is employed, such as pivoted receiving troughs and material guides or powered loading apparatus such as lifts and conveyors.

In this form of the invention, the rear end of the receptacle 30 may be fully opened by the upward pivotal motion of a discharge door 40, hingedly mounted as at 41 to the top edge of the receptacle and normally secured in closed position by a securing latch 42. In this arrangement, the open rear end of the body of the receptacle constitutes the discharge port for compressed material, but it will be understood that other types of discharge ports may be employed and different types of doors or closures may be utilized.

Within the receptacle body, there is provided, preferably on opposite sides and extending longitudinally thereof, trackways 50 for supporting and guiding the wheels or rollers 51 of a compression member 52. The

configuration of which preferably conforms with the internal configuration of the receptacle 30 and the operating face 53 of which is preferably inclined downwardly and rearwardly to enhance the engagement and .movement of compressible material as the member is reciprocated within the chamber formed by the receptacle. As indicated in Fig. 1, during loading operations, the compression member is located adjacent the forward end 54 of the receptacle and forwardly beyond the opening of the aperture 31 so as to permit free entry of mate- In the operation of the device, the compression member through the instrumentalities of power and control means is adapted to be moved from its loading position past the loading aperture to move the increment of material deposited through such aperture to the rear portion of the receptacle, thus clearing that portion of the chamber adjacent the aperture for the reception of a subsequently deposited increment. Such motion will, as the material increases in the rearward portion of the chamber formed by the receptacle, be compacted and compressed by such successive movements of the successive increments. Such normal moving and compressing operationsof the compression member are limited to an extent of travel only a fraction of the total length of the chamber. By means hereinafter discussed, such travel is automatically terminated and a reverse movement is applied to the compression member at a point adjacent the rear end of the loading aperture. With the receptacle fully loaded, however, and after transportation to the desired discharge point, the compression member may be activated to travel on its trackways 50 the full length of the receptacle. Such travel is accompanied by the opening of the discharge door 40 and thus the material content of the receptacle is forcibly ejected from the open discharge port constituting the end of the receptacle. In the termination of such full length of travel of the compression member, means hereinafter discussed provide for the automatic termination and reversal of travel of the compression member whereby it reassumes the loading position as indicated in Fig. l.

For actuating the compression member 52, there are provided on opposite sides within the receptacle 30 and preferably adjacent the trackways 50, cables 60 and 61. The cable 60 is anchored to the rear of the compression member as at 62, and passes downwardly over a snubbing block 63 and thence toward the rear of the compartment formed by the receptacle passing outwardly therefrom adjacent the door 40 over an idler pulley 64 and forwardly beneath the receptacle to be wound about and secured to a pulley 65. The cable 66 may be designated as a compression cable since upon rotation of the pulley 65 in the proper direction, the cable will be wound thereabout causing the compression member to move toward the rear of the compartment for moving ley in an equal amount.

3. and compressing material deposited through the aperture 31. The companion cable 61 passes inwardly through the chamber to idler pulley 66 around the snubber block 63 in the opposite direction from the passage of the cable 60 and is secured as at 67. Beneath the receptacle, the cable 61 extends rearwardly to be wound about and secured to the companion pulley 68, fixed with the pulley 65 on the driven pulley shaft 69. Since the winding of the cable 60 on the pulley 65 is in reverse of the winding of the cable 61 on the companion pulley 68, it will be seen that upon rotation of the pulley drive shaft 69, one cable will be unreeled from its pulley while the companion cable will be reeled upon its pul- Since the cable 61 will be reeled about its pulley for the purpose of retracting the compression member from its compressing stroke to restore it to its position of the aperture 31, this cable may be designated as a rehaul cable.

The shaft 69 extends transversely at some convenient midway point beneath the receptacle 30, the pulleys 65 and 68 being located at one side of the receptacle, while an equivalent pair of pulleys 65A and 68A are mounted on the shaft 69 at the opposite side of the receptacle, and equivalent cables 69A and 61A are trained thereover to act with the cables 60* and 61 in the aforesaid manner. Intermediate of the pulleys, there is mounted on the shaft 69 a worm wheel 70 meshing with a companion Worm 71 which is adapted for reversible drive to impart the desired rotation to the shaft 69 at a reduced rate of speed and to thus impart tension on the comthereof to the power shaft 18 of the power take-off 16. However, since reversal of drive in such instances would require the shifting from forward to reverse drive through ,the conventional transmission of the truck and control thereof by an operator within the cab, it is preferable to have reverse control means independent of the power take-off, and under the control of the attendant without recourse to the cab. For such purpose, there is provided a power shaft 80 driven from the universal joint 20 of the shaft 18 and supported by the mounting plates 19. Fixed to the shaft 80 there are a pair of driven magnetic clutch elements 82 and 84 for magnetic engagement with companion driven clutch elements 86 and 88. Rotatable with the driven clutch element 86 there ,is provided a direct drive sprocket 90 connected by a chain 92 to a directly driven sprocket 94, mounted on one end of the worm shaft 95, to which is afiixed the worm 71. Atfixed to the driven clutch element 88, there is a reverse drive sprocket 96 over which is trained a reverse drive chain 98, trained over a pair of idler pulleys 99, and thence over a reverse driven sprocket 100 alfixed to the opposite end of the worm shaft 95. From this arrangement, it will be seen that with the shaft 80 driven with a single direction of rotation, energization of the clutch element 82 will impart rotation from the shaft 80 to the sprocket 99 thus driving the sprocket 94 and the shaft 95 with and in the same direction of rotation of the shaft 80. Conversely, upon energization of the clutch element 84, the sprocket 100 'will be rotated in opposite direction with respect to the shaft 80 by virtue of the passage of the reverse drive chain 98 over the idler pulleys 99. It will of course be understood that when the reversal is brought about through the truck transmission the reversing clutch and idler sprockets will be omitted.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that there are '6 provided within the compartment of the receptacle 30 three limit switches A, B and C. The rehaul limit switch A being mounted in the forward endof the compartment, the park limit switch B being located rearwardly past the rotating aperture 31 and the travel limitswitch 'C being located adjacent the open end of the receptacle and its closure door 40. All three of the limit switches are engageable by a contact member D, mounted on the upper surface of the compression member 5Q, and hence are actuatable by the compression member in its reciprocation within the chamber. It will of course be understood that the limit switches may be otherwise located for engagement by the side or lower surface of the compression member, and it will be further understood that the limit switches are merely illustrative of the equivalent control means adapted to be actuated automatically by the travel of the compression member. As before indicated, the control system about to be described, while presented as electrical, may be mechanical, hydraulic or other fluid pressure operated. Furthermore, the particular circuit about to be discussed is merely illustrative of the various electrical arrangements whereby control of the drive and reversal of the mechanism is achieved; It being understood, of course, that the clutch members while here shown as electrical, the clutch members will be mechanical, hydraulic or fluid pressure operated in the event of the use of a system other than the electrical one here suggested.

In the present arrangement, the limit switch A is designed to terminate any drive for the compression member after the same has completed a compression and/or an ejecting cycle, this being accompanied through the opening of a circuit to both of the clutches 82-456 and 8488. Switch A is therefore designated as a rehaul limit switch. The limit switch B provides for the termination of energization of the compression clutch 82-86, and the energization of the rehaul clutch 8488 thus terminating the compression motion and returning the compression member to its initial position. Switch B is therefore. designated as a park limit switch. However,

.means are included in the circuit by which under the confor the purpose of ejecting the compressed material. At

the end of such motion, the switch C operates to deenergize the rehaul clutch to return the compression member in the same manner as affected by the operation of the limit switch B. Switch C is therefore designated a rear travel limit switch.

Since the circuit here presented forms no part of the present invention as such, it is believed that a complete and detailed analysis of the whole circuit and the individual conductors associated therewith need not be undertaken at this time. The circuit will be readily understood by those skilled in the art by the diagrammatic illustration thereof in Fig. 4. Suffice it therefore with respect to Fig. 4 to point out that from the ignition switch, which must be closed during the operation of the device since power for movement is dependent upon the operation of the power plant of the vehicle, current is supplied to the coil B when the starting switch F is closed. The

coil E upon energization closes the circuit to the contact G, and thus current is supplied from the battery H through the coil I to energize the pack clutch 82-86. At the same time, the coil J is energized closing contact from the battery to relay K, thus energizing a companion relay L for opening the throttle 13 of the carburetor to .speed up the motor and thus supply adequate power for movement of the compression member 52. Thus as the Start switch is operated the compression member 52 is moved to the right past the loading aperture 31. At the same time that a grounding connection is established for the contact G, the coil E also establishes contact from the ignition circuit through the contact M forming a: holding circuit throughthe pack stop switches N and-O, and through the pack limit switch B and travel limit switch C to ground. When the compression member'SZ'th'us brought into motion reaches the pack limit switch B to open the circuit through the pack stop switch, thus deenergizing the coil E and establishing acircuit from the contact P to the ground. By such contact-a circuit is then established through coil Q for continuing energization of the carburetor solenoid L, and at the same time a circuit is established through the rehaul clutch 84-88 and rehaul stop switches S, T and the rehaul limit switch A, the dump switch U and to the contact P and ground. Thus when the compression member has reached the pack limit switch B, circuit is automatically established for energizing the rehaul clutch and returning the same to its position forward of the loading aperture 31, at which time the rehaul limit switch A will be opened by contact with the member D and the circuit will be broken to disengage the rehaul clutch andthe compression member will come to rest.

This cycle of compression movement and return of the compression member will be elfected upon each closure 'of the Start switch F. However, after the receptacle -is fully loaded and the vehicle is driven to the point for discharge ofthe material, the dump switch U is operated to establish circuit between its contact V and W, whereby upon depression of the Start switch F, circuit is established through the contact M, pack stop switches N and O and to ground, and at the same time current passes through the contact G, energizing pack clutch 82--86 to move the compression member to the right, but such circuit is independent of the intermediate limit switch B, and thus such travel of the compression member will continue past the limit switch 3 toward the discharge end of the receptacle, the door of which has been opened, and thus the collected material is discharged. When the compression member in its ejection travel beyond the limit switch B reaches the limit switch C, the circuit is broken 'to disengage the pack clutch. Such break of circuit will reestablish energization of the rehaul clutch through the circuit already discussed, and the compression member will thus be returned past the limit switch B until it reaches the rehaul limit switch A which acts to terminate this cycle of operation. At any point in the movement of the compression member, should the attendant wish to terminate the movement thereof, the switches N, O, S or T may be actuated to break the circuit then functioning. The switches N and control the compression member in its movement to the right during thecompression or ejection operation, while the switches S and T control the movement of the compression member during its rehaul movement. For convenience of the attendant, one 'each of the switches are mounted on either side of the receptacle, preferably adjacent the loading aperture.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the function and operation of the elements of the generic inventive concept will be readily understood as well as those of the specific illustrative embodiment herein presented. As a recapitulation, it will be seen that with the motor ignition circuit completed, as with the motor running, primary or initiating current is supplied to the control circult. For operation of the compression member 52, the power take olf is engaged to be driven by the motor to rotate both magnetic clutch drive members 82 and '84. When the start switch F is, actuated, the rehaul clutch member 84 will be energized to move the compression member 52, at a relatively high rate of speed, to the left, as seen in Fig. 1, if it is not already at the extent of such movement and engaging the rehaul limit switch A. When such switch is open, actuation of the start switch will energize the pack clutch 82 to move the compression member to the right past the aperture 31, thus moving and compressing the material previously loaded to the-rear-portion of-the receptacle compartment. When the compression member engages the pack limit switch tendant. limited to the reception and discharge of compressible B, the circuit for energizing the clutch member 82 is broken and the clutch member 84 is energized to quickly return the compression member to the rehaul limit switch A which breaks the circuit bringing the compression member to rest and setting the circuit for a repeated compression stroke when switch F is again actuated. However, when it is desired to discharge the load, the dump switch U is actuated to by-pass the effectiveness of the pack limit switch B and permit full travel of the comfpression member to the rear travel limit switch C. During such full rearward travel, the door 40 is opened and the load is ejected. When the member engages the travel limit switch C, a reversal of energization of the clutch elements 82 and 34 takes place, and the compression member is automatically returned to the forward posiswitches to terminate movement of the compression memher in the event of an emergency. The overriding dump switch for control of the ultimate discharge of the load is also located for a convenient manipulation by the at- As before indicated, the invention is in no way material such as refuse, nor is the invention limited to incorporation in a truck where the truck power plant is used for the motivating force. Thus it will be understood that the present invention is not limited or confined to any other specific structural details herein presented nor to an electrical control system or that specific control system herein set forth. Therefore, numerous changes, modifications and the full use of equivalents may be resorted to in the practice of the invention without departure from the spirit or scope thereof as outlined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A material receptacle, a member mounted for reciprocation within said receptacle, means for moving said member in one direction for a limited distance within said receptacle, automatically operable means for returning said member upon completion of its travel said limited distance, means for moving said member beyond said limited distance, and automatically operable means responsive to movement of said member for returning said member upon completion of said travel beyond said limited distance, all of said means being under the control of an electrical control circuit.

2. In a device of the character described, a substantially closed receptacle having a material receiving aperture adjacent one end and a material discharge port at the opposite end, a material moving member mounted for movement in the chamber formed by said receptacle from a position beyond the materialreceiving aperture in a direction away from said port and to a position adjacent said discharge port, selective means for moving said member a fraction of the distance from saidposition beyond said aperture to adjacent said discharge port, said fraction being at least the width of said receiving aperture, means responsive to movement of said member for automatically returning said member after its travel said fractional distance, and selective means for moving said member the total distance from beyond said aperture to adjacent said port, all of said means being under the control of an electrical circuit.

3. Ina device of the character described, a substantially closed receptacle having a material receiving aperture adjacent one end and a material discharge port at the opposite end, a material moving member mounted for movement in the chamber formed by said receptacle from a position beyond the material receiving aperture in a direction away from said port and to a position adjacent said discharge port, selective means for moving said member a predetermined fraction of the distance from said position beyond said aperture to adjacent said discharge port, said fraction being at least the width of said receiving aperture, means for automatically returning said member after its travel said fractional distance, selective means for moving said member the total distance from beyond said aperture to adjacent said port, and means for automatically returning said member after travel of said total distance, all of said means being under the control of an electrical circuit.

4. In a device of the character described, a substantially closed receptacle having a material receiving aperture adjacent one end and a material discharge port at the opposite end, a material moving member mounted for movement in the chamber formed by said receptacle from a position beyond the material receiving aperture in a direction away from said port and to a position adjacent said discharge port, selective means for moving said member a fraction of the distance from said position beyond said aperture to adjacent said discharge port, said fraction being at least the width of said receiving aperture, means for automatically returning'said member after its travel said fractional distance, selective means for moving said member the total distance from beyond said aperture to adjacent said port, and means for automatically returning said member after travel of said total distance, said means for automatically returning said member being responsive to the movement of said member, and all of said means being under the control of an electrical circuit.

5. A vehicle for receiving, transporting and discharging compressible material such as refuse comprising a conventional chassis, motor, transmission, drive and steering mechanism, a material receiving receptacle constituting the body of said vehicle, a reciprocating compression member mounted Within said receptacle, power means operable from the motor of said vehicle for reciprocating said compression member, control means for limiting the stroke of said reciprocation to a fraction of the length of said receptacle, means for automatically controlling the return of said member at the expiration of said fractional reciprocation, and means for overriding said limiting control means to permit travel of said member the full length of said receptacle, all of said means being under the control of an electrical circuit.

6. A vehicle for receiving, transporting and discharging compressible material such as refuse comprising a conventional chassis, motor, transmission, drive and steering mechanism, a material receiving receptacle constituting the body of said vehicle, a reciprocating compression member mounted "within said receptacle, power means operable from the motor of said vehicle for reciprocating said compression member, control means for limiting the stroke of said reciprocation to a fraction of the length of said receptacle, means for automatically controlling the return of said member at the expiration of said fractional reciprocation, means for overriding said limiting control means to permit travel of said member the full length of said receptacle, and means for automatically controlling the return of said member at the expiration of said full length travel.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 in which the means for reciprocating said member includes a power take-off from the motor and at least one electromagnetic clutch for engaging and disengaging the power take-01f with means for actuating said member.

8. The device as set forth in claim 6 in which the means for automatically returning said member includes limit switches operable by engagement with said member.

9. The device as set forth in claim 6 in which the various means are controlled by an electrical circuit including limit switches, electromagnetic clutches and manual controls, and a motor throttle control for accelerating the motor speed when the compression member is actuated.

10. In a refuse disposal truck including a chassis, a motor including a throttle and ignition circuit drive means, power take-off and a substantially closed receptacle body, a reciprocable compression member, tracks for supporting said member for reciprocation within said receptacle, cables for moving said member for material compression and for rehaul within said receptacle, drums on which said cables are oppositely wound whereby rotation of said drums in a like direction Will Wind and unwind said cables respectively, a pair of electromagnet clutches for selectively rotating said drums in either direction, and a control circuit for said clutches including a plurality of limit switches operable by said member, said circuit being primarily energized by said motor ignition circuit, one of said limit switches being operable to de-energize both of said electromagnetic clutches, other spaced limit switches being operable to automatically reverse the rotation of said drums by selective energization of one of said clutches and de-energization of the other, a manual switch for energizing said other clutch, and means connected to said control circuit for opening the motor throttle upon energization of either of said clutches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,136,279 Severy Apr. 20, 1915 1,961,587 Hulley et a1. June 5, 1934 2,258,988 LeLaurin Oct. 14, 1941 2,379,940 Van Vleck July 10, 1945 2,480,527 Wachter Aug. 30, 1949 2,645,947 Lendved et al July 21, 1953 2,696,925 LeLaurin Dec. 14, 1954 2,726,776 Myers Dec. 13, 1955 2,777,588 Williams Jan. 15, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 539.513 France June 27. 1922 

